WHEN BOKO HARAM IS GIRLS

AS HUMAN BOMBS IN NIGERIA

"It was discovered that the suicide attacks were perpetrated by six girls " and their heads were torn off at the scene by rescuers.

They were between 7 and 10 years old , a local government official said on condition of anonymity.

The jihadists then targeted the crowd that had gathered at the site of the attacks with grenades, causing more casualties.

Two suicide bombers had previously activated their explosive charge in the neighborhoods of Shuwari and Abachari in Damboa, killing six residents.

At least 31 people have been killed. The balance is likely to increase, many injured being in serious condition.

"31 people were killed and several others wounded," said local militia member Babakura Kolo.

The attacks targeted people who had just celebrated the Eid el-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan.

For nine years, the Islamist insurgency has killed more than 20,000 people in the region. It stretches from northeastern Nigeria to Niger, Chad and Cameroon, creating a serious humanitarian crisis. The conflict has displaced about 2.6 million people in Nigeria.